First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[richw]

could things be getting prepped in Plymouth or even up in Taunton if coming from else where must be some serious effort going on to work on timetables and news must be due soon ready for the start of the new working week

The engineers/mechanics have been told an additional 15 buses will be needed prepped and ready to be on the road tomorrow morning. I hope the engineers like overtime!

 

[matt_splat]

it would seem the new timetables should be up any time now

 

[richw]

it would seem the new timetables should be up any time now

They said 30 mins on Facebook 31 mins ago so should be there shortly.

 

[matt_splat]

some new timetables here


http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/western-greyhound-buses/

it seems the wadebridge to st columb link is lost which will cause lots of people issues getting to truro it will mean a trip via Bodmin or a long day in truro

 

[richw]

some new timetables here


http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/western-greyhound-buses/

it seems the wadebridge to st columb link is lost which will cause lots of people issues getting to truro it will mean a trip via Bodmin or a long day in truro

It says on Wadebridge to Truro

First 91, 92, 93 - Service already in place but with variations to service St Columb Major:

Which is clearly wrong. The map shows a service 94 Wadebridge to St columb road, which seems to connect to a 91 service.

Bodmin to Newquay link has been lost though.

 

[LAIRA]

Not a lot of interest going on in Camborne today. Solo WK55 BUS (817) arrived from Penzance for attention early on and this afternoon Solo 915 arrived. No other new arrivals noted although viewing parts of the depot was difficult due to the large number of buses present.

I did meet Laira and his companion on a marathon tour of Cornwall and had a good chat with him.

No sign of any former Lothian Dart's.

WG 915 plus one other noted this afternoon with First fleetnames and I think 915 also had First legals but none carrying fleetnumbers

From notes here and observations this afternoon it appears First have acquered WG numbers

816 K50WGH
817 WK55BUS
914 PL06TFX
915 WK06SET
956 WK56PEN

201 NA52AWF
205 NA52AWN
206 NA52AWO
214 KN52NFU
plus one other Dart.

Nice to have met RichW & 83G this week

 

[83G/84D]

Volvo B10BLE 62194 noted at Camborne this morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
More new arrivals at First Camborne:
Marshall Dart 41490 and (presumably) ex Lothian / Ensign Dart SK52 OKF.
Both are receiving attention. Also newly arrived is Optare Solo 53009 in Barbie with Buses of Somerset branding above entrance door.This has gone into service and was on the 47.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Volvo B10RLE 62194 noted at Camborne this morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
More new arrivals at First Camborne:
Marshall Dart 41490 and (presumably) ex Lothian / Ensign Dart SK52 OKF.
Both are receiving attention. Also newly arrived is Optare Solo 53009 in Barbie with Buses of Somerset branding above entrance door.This has gone into service and was on the 47.

41490 - interesting offload to FK! TBF, it's not utterly archaic and should be handy for some routes (and every vehicle counts at the moment).

53009 returns to "Western National" territory - this was a Plymouth/Dartmouth machine once upon a time?

62194 - has that come straight from Bath?

Thanks for the updates - a very fluid situation obviously

 

[83G/84D]

41490 - interesting offload to FK! TBF, it's not utterly archaic and should be handy for some routes (and every vehicle counts at the moment).

53009 returns to "Western National" territory - this was a Plymouth/Dartmouth machine once upon a time?

62194 - has that come straight from Bath?

Thanks for the updates - a very fluid situation obviously

I am sure the new arrivals will be in at least a reasonable condition.

Certainly First staff at Camborne and elsewhere have worked hard since Friday getting a number of inherited buses ready for service, preparing timetables, drivers and duties etc and they deserve credit. There are the usual moaners and critics on social media and local radio but I think the bus companies and Cornwall Council have done well in a tight timescale and difficult circumstances.

 

[baza585]

41490 - interesting offload to FK! TBF, it's not utterly archaic and should be handy for some routes (and every vehicle counts at the moment).

And frankly is of very limited utility at LH, where there are very few routes it can sensibly be deployed on.

That said, no depot voluntarily gives up it's best buses.................

 

[83G/84D]

The other Marshall Dart at Camborne generally performs well and gets quite a lot of use even on weekends. I have not been on board but in terms of reliability it seems a decent bus.

 

[baza585]

I am sure the new arrivals will be in at least a reasonable condition.

Certainly First staff at Camborne and elsewhere have worked hard since Friday getting a number of inherited buses ready for service, preparing timetables, drivers and duties etc and they deserve credit. There are the usual moaners and critics on social media and local radio but I think the bus companies and Cornwall Council have done well in a tight timescale and difficult circumstances.

Given the circumstances I think First have done fantastically well to deploy 15 extra vehicles, 20+ extra drivers in the time available. Major credit to all concerned.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And frankly is of very limited utility at LH, where there are very few routes it can sensibly be deployed on.

That said, no depot voluntarily gives up it's best buses.................

Especially as the 87/88 are being transferred to another operator apparently. It's probably not a bad machine to have, given the tight Cornish roads

 

[Busaholic]

The other Marshall Dart at Camborne generally performs well and gets quite a lot of use even on weekends. I have not been on board but in terms of reliability it seems a decent bus.

It even saw use on the 2 the Sunday before last, when several alternative buses would have been available.

 

[KendalKing]

I am sure the new arrivals will be in at least a reasonable condition.

Certainly First staff at Camborne and elsewhere have worked hard since Friday getting a number of inherited buses ready for service, preparing timetables, drivers and duties etc and they deserve credit. There are the usual moaners and critics on social media and local radio but I think the bus companies and Cornwall Council have done well in a tight timescale and difficult circumstances.

As a former driver and manager, I totally agree with these comments. The management and staff involve, deserve a bonus for getting these extra buses ready at such short notice.

 

[83G/84D]

WG 915 plus one other noted this afternoon with First fleetnames and I think 915 also had First legals but none carrying fleetnumbers

From notes here and observations this afternoon it appears First have acquered WG numbers

816 K50WGH
817 WK55BUS
914 PL06TFX
915 WK06SET
956 WK56PEN

201 NA52AWF
205 NA52AWN
206 NA52AWO
214 KN52NFU
plus one other Dart.

Nice to have met RichW & 83G this week

Dart 204 in Trewoon today with First branding and in service.

 

[South Westerly]

Given the circumstances I think First have done fantastically well to deploy 15 extra vehicles, 20+ extra drivers in the time available. Major credit to all concerned.

26 driver duties I believe, plus extra staff out to provide information.

 

[83G/84D]

Volvo B10BLE 62194 noted at Camborne this morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
More new arrivals at First Camborne:
Marshall Dart 41490 and (presumably) ex Lothian / Ensign Dart SK52 OKF.
Both are receiving attention. Also newly arrived is Optare Solo 53009 in Barbie with Buses of Somerset branding above entrance door.This has gone into service and was on the 47.

Another Dart in Camborne when I went past around 30 minutes ago.SK52 OKD just parked up along with the other one.

 

[fgwrich]

Are there any pictures of the new arrivals or ex WG vehicles on the net yet? I've had a couple of browses through Flickr but can't seem to find anything as of yet.

The addition of Ex Lothian vehicles into the fleet now bring the FK fleet livery count up to at least 14 by now.

 

[83G/84D]

I have a few record shots that I can post on here if anyone wants to see them. They are nothing special because of where the buses are / were parked but I will post later if you want to see them.

 

[LAIRA]

I have a few record shots that I can post on here if anyone wants to see them. They are nothing special because of where the buses are / were parked but I will post later if you want to see them.

Yes please!

 

[83G/84D]

Yes please!

Will post tonight then, unable to do so at present.

 

[richw]

Are there any pictures of the new arrivals or ex WG vehicles on the net yet? I've had a couple of browses through Flickr but can't seem to find anything as of yet.

The addition of Ex Lothian vehicles into the fleet now bring the FK fleet livery count up to at least 14 by now.

I've seen some but the persons security setting is so only his contacts can see.

Here is one with public settings though. Some of the comments make interesting reading

https://www.flickr.com/photos/capuchinoking/16836170375/

 

[Goldfish62]

I've seen some but the persons security setting is so only his contacts can see.

Here is one with public settings though. Some of the comments make interesting reading

https://www.flickr.com/photos/capuchinoking/16836170375/

None of the comments surprise me. Smith's old company, which he may/may not still have a stake in, is at a public inquiry on Thursday.

 

[richw]

None of the comments surprise me. Smith's old company, which he may/may not still have a stake in, is at a public inquiry on Thursday.

Which of the former companies is that?

 

[Goldfish62]

Which of the former companies is that?

BETC Ltd t/a Buses Etc.

 

[richw]

BETC Ltd t/a Buses Etc.

Oh yes I see that one. inquiry for 3 different sections.

 

[fgwrich]

Oh yes I see that one. inquiry for 3 different sections.

I've seen some but the persons security setting is so only his contacts can see.

Here is one with public settings though. Some of the comments make interesting reading

https://www.flickr.com/photos/capuchinoking/16836170375/

Ouch. So this Mr Smith - correct me if I'm wrong but, the past and future isn't looking rosy for either of those two - ''Smith was convicted of possessing counterfeit money a month later, but avoided a prison sentence as jobs at Velvet depended upon him''. So potentially with the above information of WGH Running vehicles out of Tax & MOT, and potentially Insurance too I don't think any of the Traffic Commissioner's going to be pleased. Not least then with Smith facing 3 Separate Enquiries for Buses ETC, Velvet and WGH.

It seems that the comments from the Flickr link continue to make for interesting and uncomfortable reading too - Bishop's history doesn't appear to be very rosy either, as having 2 companies dissolved, 3 in liquidation and still showing Black Velvet Travel and WGH as trading.

Either way, this could be an interesting next few weeks to see what else may come out. And the irony in seeing K50WGH isn't lost either, the bus Mr Smith promised would herald the future of Western Greyhound is now with First Kernow.
While I still remain sorry to both independent's Velvet and Western Greyhound go, certainly Greyhound wasn't the same since the fire thanks to a lot of mismanagement, vehicle issues, and financial issues, with the more that comes out I can't say I'm that sorry to see WGH disappear.

 

[83G/84D]

Prior to the demise of Western Greyhound this turned up although I don't think it has been in service yet:-

 

[83G/84D]

Then after the much publicised event on Friday the 13th:-